Stain of the Berry

Russell Quant, prairie-living, world-traveling, witty, clever, life-loving, cute-guy detective, finds himself with an empty bank account and living in a city where the bad guys and gals seem to have taken the summer months off to enjoy the weather. But alas, our protagonist is saved from selling the family jewels (a pair of cufflinks his father never wore and a green-tinged bracelet a faux high school boyfriend once gave him)to bankroll his next meal. Quant is drawn into a curious case when his name and phone number are found in the apartment of a young woman who just jumped off her 8th floor balcony. At first Quant can find no connection - he's never met the woman - but that means nothing when he suddenly finds himself on the eerie trail of - none other than everyone's childhood nemesis - THE BOOGEYMAN. Did the woman commit suicide or was she pushed off that balcony? Who is responsible? All clues point to The Boogeyman. Could he actually be real? What's terrific about this storyline, as incredible as it seems, is that the author knows very well that most of us have had dealings with the boogeyman (even if it was years ago when we were six...or just last night when I thought I saw a shadow in my parking garage....heebie jeebies!) He is counting on the fact that those same familiar, creepy feelings we once knew, are not deeply hidden. In a way, it was easy for me to believe that the boogeyman could be real, and living on the pages of Stain of the Berry. Maybe I was so easily scared in my parking garage BECAUSE I've been reading this book? Who cares, I'm just impressed that there were certain pages I turned, not wanting to, but knowing I would. Spooky fun. And then there is so much more. This is a writer who knows how to balance the spook factor with warmth and humor and he most certainly knows how to get a gal to cry. There are many scenes I recall vividly, from a family in Moose Jaw (cute name for a city) mourning a loss, to Russell attempting to elude a Grace Jones-like character in Vancouver, to spectacular imagery in the Arctic (I said he was a world-traveler, right? Pay attention to the lovely huge apple in a small boy's hand bit - you'll miss it if you read too fast - but it's beautiful). I was surprised and ever so glad when I found out this was the fourth book in a series. I've already devoured the first, with the great title: Amuse Bouche, and was so happy to find that this writer always delivers. I get the feeling he loves to write. He has fun with it. It shows.

The Russel Quant mysteries just get better with every new story. One of my favorite authors who always manages to outdo himself. Can't wait until the next one!

This installment of the Russell Quant series is full of pieces for every emotion. You'll even find answers to some questions you've been asking since the first book in the series.

Stain of the Berry is a mystery novel with a lot to offer. There are spooky bits, funny bits, mysterious bits, sad bits. There are bursts of action just where we need 'em, clever characterizations, some James Bond with a prairie flair (if you can imagine that), and just a good story being told with a ultra likeable small "h" heroic protagonist with a pretty cool life. And it is not only Russell Quant (the said hero detective) that keeps the heart in this book, but the people around him. I was given this book to read by a friend who thought I just might like it. I loved it. I'll buy the others.

Anthony Bidulka just keeps getting better and better and I look forward to every novel. I couldn't wait till this was released in the states so I ordered as soon as it was released in Canada. I was not disappointed. This, to me, is a much more personal Russell Quant story. He doesn't do as much world travel as in the other novels, but he does finally find the answers to several mysteries that have tantalized us since the very first novel. The ending is bittersweet and I look forward to seeing how Russell and his friends handle what life has handed to them in this story.